Poughkeepsie HDLPC to lead condensed downtown walking tour for May conference; commissioners seek input

The Poughkeepsie Historic Districts and Landmarks Preservation Commission reported plans for a condensed downtown walking tour tied to a May conference and invited commissioners to suggest stops and collaborators.

Commissioner Bridal Hooper presented a truncated route intended to be walkable and to highlight downtown architecture and historic resources. The proposed loop would begin at the DoubleTree hotel, move along Market Street to Harlow Row and Soldiers Memorial Fountain, then proceed down Garfield and Montgomery, loop through Academy and return to the hotel. Hooper said the shortened route was chosen after organizers declined a bus and requested a commissioner-led, pedestrian‑friendly presentation.

Commissioners recommended adding the old City Hall and other locally significant properties as optional stops. The commission discussed coordination with other concurrent tours (public art/mural tours) to avoid overlap and noted the conference date in May (May 8) when the tour will be offered. Commissioners suggested marketing the route as a printed or online self-guided brochure for attendees who cannot join the guided walk.

Staff and commissioners noted available HDLPC resources (existing walking-tour notes and the HDLPC website) and suggested including references to state and federal landmarks along the route. Commissioners discussed possible short audiovisual documentation (drone or video short) and encouraged outreach to local partners (library, Landmark Society) to promote the tour. No formal vote was required; the item was presented as commission business and accepted as an informational update.